wealth

/wɛlθ/
/wɛlθ/
IPA guide

Other forms: wealths

The word wealth has many shades of meaning, but most involve having a lot of something — often money or something else that's valuable. You might have a wealth of experience, or you might have great personal wealth.

First used in the mid-13th century, the noun wealth can mean having a lot of material goods or money. A person with this kind of wealth may have a chateau in Italy with a vineyard and a personal yacht. Wealth can also mean a big supply of something. The birth of a newborn baby will surely bring a wealth of happiness and joy to a family.

Definitions of wealth
  1. noun
    property that has economic utility: a monetary value or an exchange value
    see moresee less
    types:
    money
    wealth reckoned in terms of money
    big bucks, big money, bundle, megabucks, pile
    a large sum of money (especially as pay or profit)
    type of:
    belongings, holding, property
    something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
  2. noun
    the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
    “great wealth is not a sign of great intelligence”
    synonyms: wealthiness
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    poverty
    the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
    types:
    show 7 types...
    hide 7 types...
    affluence, richness
    abundant wealth
    inherited wealth
    wealth that is inherited rather than earned
    luxuriousness, luxury, opulence, sumptuousness
    wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
    mammon
    wealth regarded as an evil influence
    sufficiency
    sufficient resources to provide comfort and meet obligations
    comfort, ease
    a freedom from financial difficulty that promotes a comfortable state
    old money, silver spoon
    the inherited wealth of established upper-class families
    type of:
    financial condition
    the condition of (corporate or personal) finances
  3. noun
    an abundance of material possessions and resources
    synonyms: riches
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 6 types...
    hide 6 types...
    gold
    great wealth
    hoarded wealth, treasure
    accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
    fortune
    a large amount of wealth or prosperity
    valuable
    something of value
    king's ransom
    a very large treasure
    treasure trove, trove
    treasure of unknown ownership found hidden (usually in the earth)
    type of:
    material resource
    assets in the form of material possessions
  4. noun
    the quality of profuse abundance
    “she has a wealth of talent”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    abundance, copiousness, teemingness
    the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
Pronunciation
US
/wɛlθ/
UK
/wɛlθ/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘wealth'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing wealth

view more about the vocabulary list
Tax Day Words

Tax Day, which falls on or just after April 15th, is the second most dreaded day of the year—next to Doomsday. The language of taxation runs all over the financial map, describing the wealthy, the disadvantaged, and the ungodly process of paying taxes. Here are some words you're likely to hear in relation to this stressful day, which can be—pardon the expression—quite taxing. Read the full article: Money, Money, Money: The Rich and Poor Words of Tax Day

"A Suitcase of Seaweed" and "Immigrants Today"

Learn these words from the poem by Janet Wong and the textbook article by Ann M. Rossi (Inside: Level B, Unit 3). Here are our links to the selections of "A New Chapter": The Lotus Seed, A Suitcase of Seaweed; Immigrants Today, The Lemon Story, Brothers in Hope, Refugees Find New Lives, The New Colossus Here are our links to the units of Level B: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8 Here are our links to the Inside books: Level A, Level B, Level C Here is our link to a list of academic vocabulary for Inside: Academic Vocabulary

"The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare, Act I

In this comedy, a lord refuses to allow his younger daughter to marry unless her willful older sister gets married first. Learn this thematic list focusing on goals (or, for links to general lists for the play, click below). Here are links to thematic lists for the play: Induction, Act I, Act II, Act III, Act IV, Act V Here are links to our general lists for the play: Induction, Act I, Act II, Act III, Act IV, Act V

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS